Article of luggage with integrated duct system

ABSTRACT

This invention provides an article of luggage comprising a system of one or more ducts for e.g. running a wire or cable connector to equipment in the luggage so as to eliminate or reduce the presence of a loose and exposed wire or cable connector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to articles of luggage. More, particularly, this invention relates an article of luggage comprising a system of ducts through which cables, wires connectors, tubes or other vessels of transport can be inserted.

Pieces of luggage, such as backpacks, purses, carrying cases, have become everyday articles in today's society. These articles enhance and ease the modes of transporting items from one location to another. However, due to the conventional design of many of these articles, they fail to reach their full potential for convenience and applicability.

The present invention is an article of luggage comprising a system of ducts. The ducts are capable of containing a suitable vessel of transport. Examples of a vessel of transport include, but are not limited to, a cable, wire connector or tube.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides an article of luggage comprising a system of ducts through which cables, wires connectors, tubes or other vessels of transport can be inserted.

The advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following description of the invention. The invention may be best understood by reference to the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the claimed invention. The figure shows a messenger bag 1 comprising a carrying enclosure 2. In this embodiment, the carrying enclosure is intended to carry an electronic device. A wire 3 is run through the integrated duct system from the electronic device to a controller 4 located on shoulder strap of the messenger bag.

FIG. 2:

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the claimed invention. In this embodiment, the duct system is integrated into the shoulder strap of the backpack. In this embodiment, a personal audio device is placed in the carrying enclosure 5, and the wire 6 connecting the personal audio device and the headphones 7 are run through the integrated duct system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, specific embodiments will herein be described in detail, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an example of the principles of the invention and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described.

This invention provides an article of luggage comprising a carrying enclosure and a duct integrated into the article of luggage and positioned to accept a vessel of transport from the carrying enclosure. In one embodiment, the duct is such that a cable, wire, connector, tube or other vessel of transport can be inserted. Examples of an article of luggage include, but are not limited to, a backpack, a briefcase, a messenger bag and a purse.

In one embodiment, the duct is part of a system of ducts throughout the article of luggage. In another embodiment, the system is such that the ducts are isolated (e.g. the contents of one duct are not in contact with the contents of another duct) from one another. In one embodiment, the ducts are padded or insulated in order to protect the contents within. In another embodiment, the ducts are isolated until connected via an aperture. In one embodiment, the ducts can be exposed to allow for easier insertion of a vessel of transport. For example, a duct located within the shoulder strap of a backpack can be exposed by removing a strip of material attached over the duct via Velco™.

The cables, wires, connectors, tubes or other vessels of transport contained with these ducts are capable of transporting any suitable material or data. Examples of material or data that can be transported via the ducts include, but are not limited to, food, liquids, and electronic data.

In another embodiment, the ducts are connected to one or more carrying enclosures. In one embodiment, the carrying enclosure is a pouch or pocket located on the article of luggage. In one embodiment, the carrying enclosure is sealable. Examples of methods for sealing a carrying enclosure include, but are not limited to, snaps, Velcro™, zippers and magnets. In one embodiment, the carrying enclosure comprises a transparent window to allow viewing of the contents inside. In one embodiment, the carrying enclosure is detachable. In another embodiment, the carrying enclosure is insulated or padded to protect the contents within.

In one embodiment, the duct system is such that an item within the carrying enclosure is able to be accessed or controlled at another location. In one embodiment, a controller is attached to the article of luggage at a location other than the location of the carrying enclosure. In one embodiment, the controls are accessed via push buttons. In one embodiment, one function is associated with pushing one button. In another embodiment, one function is associated with pushing two or more buttons simultaneously. For example, a device carried in a pocket at one location of the article of luggage can be connected via its interface to a wire running through a duct, allowing the user to access and control the device at the another location on the article of luggage. Examples of suitable devices for the claimed invention include, but are not limited to, cellular phones, compact disc players, MP3 players or other digital format audio players and audio cassette players. In one embodiment, the controller comprises all or some of the functions that appear on the audio device, for example, play, rewind, fast forward, skip, pause and volume control. In another embodiment, the controller comprises all or some of the functions that appear on the cellular phone, for example, dial, answer call and end call. In another embodiment, the article of luggage comprises a speaker or speakers. The duct system in the article of luggage is then capable of carrying a wire connecting a personal audio device to a portable speaker or speakers located on the article of luggage. In another embodiment, the article of luggage comprises a display, e.g. an LCD screen. The duct system in the article of luggage is then capable of carrying a wire connecting a personal electronic device to the screen located on the article of luggage.

In another embodiment, the duct system enables the internalization of a wire for an electronic device. For example, a personal audio device can be carried in a pocket located on the article of luggage. The wire connecting the headphones to the personal audio device can be placed within a duct such that the wire travels through the duct until it exits it at a more convenient location, thus eliminating the problem of a loose, exposed wire. For example, in one embodiment, the duct is positioned to carry a wire from an electronic device in a carrying enclosure to a location on the article of luggage which is in close proximity to the ear of the subject carrying the article of luggage.

In another example, food or liquid contained in a carrying enclosure can be drawn (e.g. via suction) through a tube in the duct, allowing the user to conveniently eat or drink without removing the food or liquid from the carrying enclosure.

Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. An article of luggage comprising a carrying enclosure and a duct integrated into the article of luggage positioned to accept a vessel of transport from the carrying enclosure.
 2. The article of luggage of claim 2, wherein the vessel of transport is a cable, wire, connector or tube.
 3. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the duct is part of a system of ducts throughout the article of luggage.
 4. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the ducts are padded or insulated.
 5. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the ducts are isolated until connected via an aperture.
 6. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the ducts can be temporarily exposed
 7. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the duct is connected to the carrying enclosure.
 8. The article of luggage of claim 10, the carrying enclosure is a pouch or pocket located on the article of luggage.
 9. The article of luggage of claim 10, wherein the carrying enclosure is sealable.
 10. The article of luggage of claim 10, wherein the carrying enclosure comprises a transparent window.
 11. The article of luggage of claim 10, wherein the carrying enclosure is detachable.
 12. The article of luggage of claim 10, wherein the carrying enclosure is insulated or padded.
 13. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the duct connects two carrying enclosures.
 14. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the duct is positioned to carry a wire from an electronic device at one location on the article of luggage to a speaker at another location on the article of luggage.
 15. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the duct is positioned to carry a wire from an electronic device at one location on the article of luggage to a display at another location on the article of luggage.
 16. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the duct is positioned to carry a wire from an electronic device in a carrying enclosure to a location on the article of luggage which is in close proximity to the ear of the subject carrying the article of luggage. 